Transfigured ("transform into something more beautiful or elevated") will open at Rachel Bebb Contemporary on Saturday 7 October. The exhibition will celebrate letter carving and exhibitors are being encouraged to use offcuts, in the spirit of recycle, reuse and reduce.
Letter carving by hand is an ancient skill, worthy of preservation and promotion. Rachel Bebb Contemporary is an enthusiastic supporter of the work of the Lettering Arts Trust, and the artists who carve beauty and stories into stone and wood, engrave glass, and inscribe on paper.
Exhibitors in Transfigured include Lisi Ashbridge, Nia Bennett, Rachel Butler, Emi Gordon, Pip Hall, Eric Marland, Anna Louise Parker, Tom Perkins, Helen Mary Skelton, Annet Stirling, Louise Tiplady, Zoe Singleton, Will Spankie and Pippa Westoby.
Complementing the display of letter carving will be engravings by Beatrice Forshall, whose printmaking revolves around species and themes central to conservation. Beatrice’s book, ‘The Book of Vanishing Species’, documents threats to 69 species threatened with extinction due to pollution, loss of habitats and trafficking, all caused by apex predators, human beings. “Because they can’t speak for themselves I’d like to tell their story … art can play a role”.
Other works of art - sculpture, ceramics, original prints and engraved glass - by regular exhibitors will also be for sale.
Private View (invitation only) Saturday 7 October, 11 - 4
During the Private View Maya Martin will demonstrate the art and craft of letter carving.
* RSVP to rachel@rachelbebbcontemporary.com essential *
Parking instructions will be sent on receipt of reply
The exhibition will continue until Saturday 4 November on Fridays and Saturdays 11 - 4, and by arrangement.
If you would like to request an invitation to the Private View, please email rachel@rachelbebbcontemporary.com
Read the guest blog from the Chair of Trustees at The Lettering Arts Trust
Gallery address: The Paddock, Rookery Lane, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8AZ
Pictured: Pippa Westoby - Earth (riven green slate offcut, 56 x 26 x 3 cms, Aldo Leopold quote)